Owen Williams steps up from the Llanelli side to start for the Scarlets.

25 Jan 2013, 01:08 pm

By Graeme Gillespie

Scarlets hand Williams opportunity

A new look Scarlets side will take on Sale in the LV= Cup third round clash at the Salford City Stadium.

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With 26 of their squad not available for selection through injury or international duty at senior, Wales U20 and Wales 7's levels; the Scarlets will give opportunities to some new faces from the region eager to step up and show their potential.

Exciting young outside half Owen Williams, 20, who has impressed for Llanelli this season, gets his opportunity with experienced and versatile Scarlets back Gareth Owen moving to full-back.

It's a first start for back-row Lewis Rawlins and a fresh opportunity for another Llanelli back row forward, Duane Eager as well as U20 Wales World Cup prop Rob Evans who starts on the bench along with 21-year-old wing Dale Ford.

Experienced centre Gareth Maule captains the team alongside Adam Warren in a centre partnership which put in impressive performances for the region last.

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said: "We have two big fixtures ahead of us with Sale and then Leicester Tigers at home next Sunday afternoon and these will be very physical games. It will be a platform for many of the players getting their opportunities in a Scarlets shirt to show how well they can perform.

"It's very important that we invest in and support building depth in our squad and give real opportunity to those players now who are working hard week-in-week out within the squad and performing for our Premiership teams.

"There's a fresh approach to selection in these two LV=Cup games and a big focus for us will be to try and play a bit more and make sure we do not feed the opposition too much which is what has let us down recently."